Julian Nagelsmann mentioning his wife in a dispute with Deniz Undav has drawn criticism from one of German football’s most prominent figures.
Naglesmann indulged in a public back-and-forth with the Stuttgart striker over his role in the national team ahead of the World Cup.
He later apologised for criticising Undav, saying his wife Lena talked him down of his perch.
Ballon d’Or winner and Borussia Dortmund advisor Matthias Sammer was asked about the incident and wasn’t too complimentary.
“Bringing Lena into the mix is a bit of a tidbit,” Sammer said on Sky.
“People might now be discussing: Now he even needs his wife to find a solution.
“It makes Nagelsmann likeable on the one hand, but on the other hand – from a highly professional point of view – I would say: Julian, this doesn’t belong here.”
Nagelsmann vs Undav
Undav has long challenged his position as an impact substitute for Germany, but his latest comments during the international break provoked a response from Nagelsmann.
“If he’s been running for 70 minutes beforehand, I don’t know if he’d put it away like that,” he said of a goal against Ghana.
“It was a long stride, which, after 70 minutes – especially considering the summer heat and 42-degree temperatures – could be difficult for him.
“He puts himself under pressure with his statements.
“If he can handle that, that’s very good. I didn’t think his performance was good until the goal. He only touched the ball once before scoring.”
Later revealing his wife’s role in his apology, Nagelsmann said: “She’s someone who reflects me very well, who naturally tells me to my face if something wasn’t right,” he said.
“Take Deniz Undav , for example. I told her I was going to call him, and then she said: ‘Yes, I advise you to do that too.’ That sums it up.
“It was an unnecessary remark, for which I apologized to Deniz the very next day.
“Thankfully, he accepted it, and everything is fine between us now.
“I simply got a little triggered at that moment by the numerous questions on the same topic.”
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